Inspired by a recent wildlife sighting (centre photo in the quiz), I have focused on some cool animal patterns in The Arboretum. Can you figure out what these close-ups are? All have been seen during the month of June in The Arboretum, so come out and start searching! The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.

by Aron Fazekas

I have been at the University of Guelph Arboretum as Curator for just over a year now. My responsibility is to oversee the maintenance and development of all collections, including both living collections and the herbarium collection. I am also responsible for periodic review and maintenance of collection design within the context of the Arboretum Master Plan and the Operational Plan.   Read more.

Aron Fazekas

Professor Alan Watson, Director

On June 30th I will be stepping down as Arboretum Director having had the honour to be in this position for 20 years. As I reach halfway through my last month at The Arboretum I have been thinking a lot about all of the projects I have been able, with the support of a creative staff, to bring to completion. Since 20 years is longer than perhaps many of our e-newsletter readers may have been aware of The Arboretum, I thought I would provide a list of our accomplishments related to Arboretum development and projects over my past 20 years as Director:  Read more.

        
Alan Watson, 1992                               Alan Watson, 2012

For the months of June, July and August 2012 we will once again have Wednesday Evening Walks that will begin at 7 p.m. at the J.C. Taylor Centre. These 1 ½ hour walks will be on a different topic each week and are $2 / person (children under 5 are free). Below is a schedule for the next few weeks. The complete schedule can be found on our website.

June 20 - Birding 101- It’s a warbler, no it's a vireo… I don’t know!
Let’s learn the basics of bird identification, and then we will grab some binoculars and try to figure out which birds are hanging out at The Arboretum!

June 27- Systems for Survival- How Ontario’s reptiles have evolved!
We will try to figure out how our super cool reptilian neighbours have survived for so many millions of years and what threats they are facing now. We will figure out how to help and guess about their evolutionary future.

July 4- Myth Bugsters- Busting the myths about Insects and Spiders.
There is so much false information about insects and spiders out there! We will go through some of the more common ones and figure out what is really going on! Come prepared with your questions about our many-legged friends.

July 11- Native Plant Gardening- There are so many lovely plants in Ontario!
We will explore The Arboretum finding great plants that could spruce up your garden and help support the wildlife in your neighbourhood.

July 18 - Aerial Predators- The Dragonflies and Damselflies of The Arboretum
Let’s take a closer look at the amazing diversity of dragons and damsels we have here at The Arboretum. Amazing in flight these prehistoric predators have been flying since before the dinosaurs, we will investigate why they have done so well.

July 25 - Monarchs- An Adventure Story
Long travels, many dangers, even another species pretending to be you! Let’s get specific on why Ontario’s best known butterfly is so cool! We will walk through The Arboretum looking for all the stages of life of this daring insect.

The Arboretum's Rare Woody Plants of Ontario Program has been featured in the latest issue of Arnoldia: The Magazine of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Please follow the link to the article entitled, "Picking up the Pawpaws", to learn more about the conservation work being done at The University of Guelph Arboretum.
http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/issues/255

Congratulations to anyone that has recently become engaged! If you or someone you know is looking for a space for your wedding ceremony and / or reception please contract Barb Watson – Ash at 519-824-4120 ext. 54110 or [log in to unmask]. Further information on our unique reception facilities and outdoor ceremony sites can be found on our website.

  
Auditorium                                      West Lawn

Nature and Wildlife Photography, Dragonflies and Damselflies, Identification and Biology of Butterflies, and The Wonderful World of Summer Wildflowers workshops are all approaching. The dates and registration deadlines can be found in our Coming Events listing in the column on the left side of this newsletter. A detailed description of each course is available on our website. Help us promote our programs … please forward this e-mail on to your friends and colleagues who may be interested. The more participants we have, the more programs we can offer.

For further information and / or to register please call Bev Healy at 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 or [log in to unmask]. Please note that a decision is made on the registration deadline as to whether the workshop will run or not, based on the minimum number of required registrants. You may still register after the deadline as long as the workshop is running and there is space.

Lots of things happening this month! Many of our tree species are blooming, some with spectacular flowers such as Horse Chestnut, Tulip Tree, Umbrella Magnolia and Japanese Tree Lilac. More blooms and fun fruits to come. Our pond study programs have produced lots of interesting aquatic critters including a giant waterbug carrying its eggs and many frog sightings. Bryna Belisle, our summer naturalist, found a VERY CUTE young fawn recently and Chris Earley found a young Eastern Screech-Owl being mobbed by a Northern Cardinal . We were also able to watch a Painted Turtle lay her eggs. You can see a video of it on our Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/52649814@N05/

   
White-tailed Deer fawn    Giant Water Bug with eggs     Umbrella Magnolia

Be a part of the BetterPlanet Project by donating on-line:
Your donation can be directed to The Arboretum online through the secure University of Guelph The BetterPlanet Project site! Follow these easy steps:

• Follow this link http://www.thebetterplanetproject.ca/bpp_donate_2.html
• Choose your type of gift "-One-time gift-", "-Sustaining gift-", or "-Tribute Giving-"
• On the drop down menu "-Choose a Program-" select Arboretum" and fill in the amount of your donation
• Click Calculate
• Fill in your personal information

It's that easy!

If you prefer not to make an online donation, there are several other ways to provide your financial support. You can choose to donate by telephone, mail, fax, or in person:

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Attention Alumni Affairs 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 Tel: 1-888-266-3108 ext. 56934 Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56934 Fax: 519-822-2670 Email: [log in to unmask]

Please identify The Arboretum as the focus of your donation. If you would like information on bequests and planned giving to The Arboretum please contact:

Ross Butler
Director, Gift Planning
at (519) 824-4120 ext. 56196 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]